5 Ways to Make Valentine’s Sweet for Children in Foster Care
We all know Valentine’s Day is a time for showering the ones we care about most with love and kindness. Why not share that with foster children who are most deserving of care? Here are some easy ways you can get involved in our community and beyond to share the love with vulnerable children and include them in your Valentine’s Day celebration!
Support Fairfax CASA’s Have a Heart Campaign
Each year in February the amazing team at Twins ACE Hardware in the City of Fairfax hosts a round-up campaign benefitting CASA. Whether you’re looking to stock up on snow supplies for the end of winter, are planning your spring garden, or working on a home improvement project, the great folks at Twins ACE Hardware have you covered. You can also shop their selection of national brands such as Yeti Coolers, Weber Grills, and Stihl Power Tools, to name a few. Simply shop at Twins ACE anytime during the month of February, round-up your purchase to the nearest dollar, and know that you made a difference in the life of a foster child in Fairfax County!
Give Back While Gifting
Looking for a unique gift for your valentine that gives back? Head over to Goods and Better and shop their selection of gifts for her, him, and kids! With every purchase, you can select how you want to help foster children in need, such as providing comfort, clothing, luggage, hygiene essentials, or a baby bundle. Want to share a Valentine’s treat with your loved ones that you can feel good about? Head to your nearest Wendy’s and purchase their $2 Frosty Keychain benefitting the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. You can use the keychain for the entire year to get a free Junior Frosty with any purchase – that’s a pretty sweet deal!
Grant a Wish
Give a child in foster care a Valentine in the form of granting their wish! One Simple Wish has a simple mission. Collect wishes from children in foster care, post them to their website, and let supporters across the nation grant those wishes. Wishes range from simple requests such as art supplies and sneakers to life-changing gifts like college textbooks for foster youth furthering their education. Right now there are 219 wishes waiting to be granted. One Simple Wish believes that every child should experience love, hope, and joy. What could be better than celebrating that this Valentine’s Day?
Commit to Run or Walk for a Foster Child
Be a hero for a local foster child by registering to run or walk in our 12th Annual Fairfax Run for the Children! This year we’re excited to host our race in-person again on April 30th and are also offering a virtual race option to include our supporters from across the nation and around the globe. You can also give back by signing up to volunteer on race day or donate to help us reach our $75,000 fundraising goal. Take advantage of early bird pricing going on now through the end of February!
Become a CASA Volunteer
You can give the greatest valentine of all – yourself! Often, a foster child’s CASA is the one consistent and caring adult in their life. CASA volunteers change the lives of abused and neglected children in foster care every day by looking out for their best interests, helping them find safe, permanent, and loving homes, and make sure they do not fall through the cracks. Right now, we are looking for individuals to join us for our Summer 2022 training class. The first step to become a CASA volunteer is to attend an information session. Our next information session is being held virtually on Tuesday, February 15th at 1pm. You can get details and RSVP by emailing our Manager of Volunteer Recruitment, Alexis Shield, at volunteer@casafairfax.org.